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Laya Gasa Trekking - 19 Days

Laya Gasa Trekking

Bhutan Laya Gasa trekking is offer picturesque farmland, alpine pastureland, impressive peaks and numerous isolated Dzongs providing great deal of cultural interests, this trek offers a great variety of trekking conditions, from picturesque farmland and forests to alpine pastureland and high passes. Spectacular camp site, beneath some of Bhutan's most impressive peaks, of which the most notable are Jhumolhari and Jichu Drake, are also the features of this trekking route. Numerous isolated Dzongs and scattered settlements, including the outlandish village of Laya, provide a great deal of cultural interest en-route.

Trek Level: Challenging
Season : April to June and September to November

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Paro:
The flight into Paro brings breathtaking views of the Himalayan Mountains. If the weather permits you will be able to see Mountain Everest (8848 meters) and other Himalayan mountains. The landing, flying through the Paro valley between the 4000 meters high mountains, starts your day in an unforgettable way! Our representative welcome to you in Bhutan and drive you through the beautiful valley of Paro to the hotel you will be staying. This beautiful valley is home to many Bhutan's oldest monasteries and temples. The country's only airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to Mountain Chomolhari(7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowing through the valley. Afternoon you will visit Ta Dzong (watch tower) it served as a watch tower during the 17th century to guard the region from the Tibetan invasion. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968. It houses a fine collection of Bhutanese art, relics, religious thankas, Kichu Lhakhang(Monastery) it is one of the two most sacred and the oldest temples in Bhutan. It was built in 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, Rimpung Dzong (fortress of the heap of jewels) it was built during the time of Zhabdrung (deeply revered to this day as dynamic political and spiritual leader) in 1644. It houses both administrative and monastic bodies. Overnight Paro Hotel.

Day 2 In Paro:
Morning take an acclimatization hike to the famous Taktshang Monastery (Tiger's nest), this is Bhutan?s most recognizable cultural icon perched 800 meters up a seemingly sheer cliff. Although it was tragically and mysteriously consumed by fire in April 1998 it has now been restored to its former glory, Visit Farmhouse Bhutan is justly not famous for its cuisine, which is somewhat predictable. Eating at a local farmhouse at least gives a slightly different variation. Overnight Paro Hote

Day 3 Trek start Paro to Shana:
Drive to the end of the motor road at Drukgyel Dzong to begin the trek. Todays trail follows the river uphill through a narrow agricultural valley as far as the border army camp at about 2890 meters. (15 kilometers, 5 hours walk).

Day 4 Shana to Soi Thangthangkha:
The path from Shana ascends through the river valley with pine and rhododendron forests. On the way, there is a fantastic view of Mount Jomolhari. We will camp in a meadow with a stone shelter at an altitude of about 3575 meters. (22 kilometers, 6 to 7 hours walk)

Day 5 Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang:
The trail continues to follow the river and passes a small army post where the valley begins to widen again. Views of high ridges and snow-capped peaks can be seen on all sides. At this altitude (about 4040 meters) it is possible to see yaks and yak herders. Camp is beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mountain Jomolhari. (Altitude: 4044 meters 17 kilometers, 5 hours walk)

Day 6 Jangothang - Halt:
It's possible to walk to Tsophu and fish or hike in various directions: towards Mountain Jomolhari and its subsidiary to the west, Jichu Drake to the north and unclaimed summits and ridges to the east.

Day 7 Jangothang to Lingshi:
The trail climbs gradually to Nyili La Pass (4680 meters). Broad yak pastures can be seen along the length of the route. If the weather is clear, there is an excellent view of Lingshi Dzong as we descend into the Lingshi basin. Tserim Kang and its descending glaciers can be seen at the north end of the valley. The Lingshi area has 118 households and about 300-400 people, some of whom live a great distance from Lingshi. There also used to be some Tibetan refugees. (5 to 6 hours walk, distance 21 kilometers, camp at an altitude 4010 meters).

Day 8 Lingshi to Chebisa:
Leaving Lingshi village behind, the most pleasant walk of the whole trek starts on a wide trail located high above the valley floor. The hill sides are partly covered by the medicinal plants. The track descends into a side valley to a village called Goyok. Take time to study the yak people when they take the luggage and saddles off their animals. The yaks are then chased up the hill so that they graze their way down to camp during the night. (Altitude 3990 meters, 3 to 4 hours walk, distance 6 kilometers

Day 9 Chebisa to Shakyapasang:
Beware of the dogs while crossing the village. After the village a stiff, steep climb of about 450 meters up a grassy slope leads to a peak called Inela. During the climb you might see herds of blue sheep, bearded vulture. Later, the hike descends through a forest on a wet trail and we will approach by the river. (Altitude 4000 meters, 14 kilometers, 5 hours walk).

Day 10 Shakyapasang to Robluthang:
The day starts with a climb of about 200 meters, after which the trail levels and changes from a southerly to an easterly direction. The area is full of Yak herder huts. You will come across a swampy area where there is a big river, where the bridge will be hopefully found in place. The herders have to rebuild the bridge almost every year, so be prepared to cross the river, which can be cold and powerful depending on the time of the year. A steep 40 minutes climb will lead to a nice campsite. (Altitude:4160 meters, 16 kilometers, 7 hours walk).

Day 11 Robluthang to Limithang:
Start early so as to enjoy the best possible view from the pass. The trail crosses some small streams and you will come across a platform with lots of prayer flags. From here a large glacial valley opens up leading to the east and finally to today?s pass. When we follow the trail you will hear shrill noises which are of marmots, whose holes can be seen everywhere, the hill sides here are covered with medicinal plants. The campsite is through a beautiful cedar forest, with Great Tiger Mountain looming over camp. (Altitude: 4160 meters above sea level, 16 kilometers, 7 hours walk).

Day 12 Limithang to Laya:
You will follow the valley down parallel to the Timuchang Chhu through a cedar and then fir forest. Yak people from Laya might overtake with their yaks carrying loads of smuggled goods. About 30 minutes before reaching Laya, there is a clear split in the trail. The left fork is better, after some small ups and downs and crossing a ridge you reach a chorten and a prosperous Laya village appears before you. (Altitude: 3800 meters above sea level, 9 kilometers, 4 hours walk).

Day 13 Laya to Koina:
The trail leaves Laya through fields and clusters of houses. Descend through the village entrance porch or arch chorten and pass through some beautiful woodland. After the army camp, descend on a good trail. Once you reach the bottom of the valley (3200 meters) a good, wide, flat trail follows the Mo Chhu(River). At the end of the final climb (150 meters) the trail rounds a ridge into the side valley to a campsite. (Altitude: 3240 meters above sea level, 16 kilometers, 6 hours walk).

Day 14 Koina to Gasa:
Today's trail is a long climb through an enormous subtropical forest. If misty the atmosphere can become very eerie, and the gorge transforms into something out of a fairytale. On the other side is a territory for snow leopard and tiger, after a short flat trail a long descent to Gasa village starts. (Altitude: 2220 meters above sea level, 12 kilometers, 6 hours walk).

Day 15 Trek End Gasa to Tashithang:
Gasa to Tashithang: After leaving the camp in Gasa the trail again disappears into mixed jungle/forest with many orchids. Overnight camp in Tashothang. (Altitude: 2250 meters, distance: 15 kilometers, distance: 4 hours walk).

Day 16 Tashithang to Punakha:
Drive through semi tropical forest with a great variety of flora and fauna.You will also come across high agricultural terraces above the Mo Chu (the female river) into a lush semi-tropical gorge filled with banana trees. Overnight Punakha Hotel

Day 17 Punakha to Thimphu (Altitude: 2320 meters above sea level):
Thimphu is a bustling town on the banks of the Thimphu Chhu and set gloriously in the hills of the Thimphu valley. It is home to the Bhutanese Royal Family, the Royal Government to several foreign missions and development projects. Bhutan's only golf course, a nine-hole circuit, is situated next to the magnificent Tashichoo Dzong. Morning hike to Kham Sum Yule Lhakhang (Monastey) it was built by HRH Azhi (Queen) Tshering Pem Wangchuck for a successful rule during the reign of the present King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck., Punakha Dzong (fortress) built in 1637 by Zhabdrung which is remarkably located between the rivers of Mo (Female) Chu (river) and Pho (Male) Chu. Later drive to the capital city Thimphu(2 hours 30 minutes drive). Overnight Thimphu Hotel.

Day 18 In Thimphu:
Morning hike to Cheri Monastery about. Later Memorial Chorten this particular chorten was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of the country, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is regarded as the father of modern Bhutan, Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the glorious religion) houses the throne room of His Majesty the King, the main secretariat building and the central monk body, Mini zoo here you can see Bhutan?s national animal known as Takin. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family, and Sangaygang view point this is the place to take your camera and capture the essence of a remarkable country. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is also known as the Lover's Point!. Overnight Thimphu Hotel.

Day 19 Depart Thimphu to Paro Airport:
Early breakfast at the hotel and then Drive from Thimphu to Paro International airport to fly your onward destination

Note: Designed itinerary is a sample itinerary intended to give you a general idea of trip to Bhutan. We can create an itinerary to suit as your needs and interest one you give your interest and travel timeframe.


 

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